Red Sox top Rays 4-1 on July 15, 2025, for their 10th straight win. Brayan Bello shines and Trevor Story ties a record, but pitching injuries loom for Boston.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The Boston Red Sox are officially the hottest team in baseball, riding a spectacular 10-game winning streak into the All-Star break. For the first time since 2018, the Fenway Faithful have watched their team reel off double-digit victories, capped by a 4-1 triumph over the Rays. But as the bats sizzle and the wins pile up, a dark cloud is gathering over the pitching staff, with a brutal injury report threatening to derail the team's incredible momentum.
Trevor Story is 16-for-16 in stolen base attempts this season, matching a club record last achieved by Jacoby Ellsbury in 2008.
It's been a magical run. The Sox haven't lost since early July, finding a new hero every night. In their latest victory, it was Ceddanne Rafaela's two-run homer and another gem from Brayan Bello, who went 6.1 innings of one-run ball, that sealed the deal against Tampa Bay. This streak has vaulted the team firmly back into the AL East conversation, sitting in third place behind the Blue Jays and Yankees. It’s not just luck; it’s timely hitting, stellar defense, and a brand of baseball that has fans buzzing. Trevor Story has been a menace on the basepaths, flawlessly swiping 16 bags in 16 tries to match a record set by Jacoby Ellsbury.
The celebration was soured by devastating news on the injury front. Right-hander Hunter Dobbins, who suffered an injury covering first base on July 12, has been diagnosed with a right ACL tear. The injury is serious, and he's expected to miss significant time, marking a heartbreaking setback for the promising pitcher. To fill the roster spot, Richard Fitts was recalled from Worcester. Dobbins joins a crowded IL that reads like a who's who of the pitching staff: Kutter Crawford (wrist surgery), Justin Slaten (shoulder), Nick Burdi (hip), Liam Hendriks (hip setback), and Zack Kelly (oblique) are all sidelined, decimating the team's depth.
All eyes now turn to Tanner Houck. His 30-day rehab assignment for a right flexor pronator strain expires this Thursday, July 17, forcing the Red Sox to make a decision: activate him or risk losing him. Getting Houck back would be a massive boost, but the front office must be certain he's ready. With the IL already overflowing, the team can't afford another setback. The state of the pitching staff will be the defining story of the second half.
The All-Star break offers a much-needed breather, but it's only a temporary pause. The Red Sox have proven they can hang with the best in the league, but their incredible run has come at a cost. Can their red-hot offense continue to carry the load? Can the remaining arms hold the line? The test begins immediately after the break, with a weekend series in Chicago against the Cubs starting Friday. The streak is thrilling, but the real challenge is just beginning.
